Your generous donation helps to save and change lives every day.
Your charitable investment will go toward ongoing global relief to care for the underserved and vulnerable people of this community. As a member of this medical mission team, you will elevate the long-term impact of sustainable, capacity-building efforts that improve the health, wellness, and quality of life of those most in need.
Overview
The Need
Borneo is a rugged and remote island located in Southeast Asia’s Malay Archipelago and is the third-largest island in the world. The island is known for its biodiverse rainforest that is home to indigenous tribes and 288 species of terrestrial mammals, and its incredible geographical features. Borneo is mostly covered in dense mountainscape and features the 13,455 foot Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia. There are many other mountains with countless lesser-known trails to hike in Borneo, each with stunning panoramic rainforest and ocean views. While hiking, visitors have the opportunity to view over 700 unique species of trees, each seemingly more unique than the last. Travelers can also experience more of Borneo’s stunning topography and biodiversity by heading below the surface of the island’s remarkably blue water.
Despite Borneo’s size, it is not densely populated, and most of the island’s inhabitants live near the coast. The residents represent approximately 300 ethnic groups, but about two-thirds of the population is Muslim. Since three different sovereignties govern this island, the Malaysian Ministry of Health runs the healthcare system; consequently, access to quality healthcare is not equally distributed, and many of the local health centers are not staffed by doctors. To make health services more accessible for the residents who do not live along the coast, the IMR team will work with local physicians to establish clinic locations in different villages in the jungle.
This Mission
Each day of clinic will be spent in the heart of a new village. Since this will be IMR’s inaugural trip to Borneo, community members will be eager to welcome you and receive much-needed treatment. During clinic, you can expect to assist entire families that span multiple generations. The services that you provide will range from the treatment of rashes, burns, and open wounds, to care for lymphatic filariasis, leptospirosis, and schistosomiasis. Since mosquito-borne diseases are quite common in this region, you will also educate families on how to prevent contracting malaria.
You and the rest of the volunteer team will also educate locals on how to stay healthy and how to care for their loved ones. One of the main focuses of this mission is dentistry. Because dental pain is common here and all community members are encouraged to attend, the demand for dental care will be high. Another main focus of this mission is women’s healthcare. We will provide general women’s and infant care, as well as strengthen prenatal care knowledge.
Lodging/Transportation
The team will be staying in a beautiful, safe, clean and friendly hotel for the week. The arranged transportation for the mission will include vans, 4×4 vehicles, and boats.
For additional information, please contact our preferred travel agency, Worldwide Navigators. Their team of experienced agents and travelers is available via email at travel@worldwidenavigators.com.
Highlights
The highlight of this trip is serving patients who, without you and your team, would not have access to healthcare. Your patients will mostly be from working-class families and refugee groups and will be eager to receive your treatment and kindness. Since the most significant age demographic in Borneo are those aged 15 and younger, your humanitarian efforts will leave a lasting impression on those who will shape their nation’s future.
While the most rewarding and memorable aspect of this trip will be caring for the people of Borneo, you will not be able to forget the lush rainforest and mesmerizing sunsets. Another activity that you will always reflect fondly upon is your team’s trip to the Semenggoh Orangutan Center. If you are lucky, you may even go home with an orangutan selfie!
Extend Your Stay
Since you’re journeying halfway across the globe, consider extending your stay to see more of Borneo, the only place in the world where orangutans live in the wild! Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!
Worldwide Navigators offers several options for wildlife viewing, island hopping, snorkeling and diving, and more. Take a look at the options available.
Itinerary at a Glance
Arrivals
Orientation & Orangutan Preserve
Clinic
Clinic
Clinic
Clinic
Departures
Please View Full Itinerary in the Next Tab
Sustainable Impact
Your Journey
Clinic Photos
Gallery
Full Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change without notice.
You will need to arrange your flight destination to be Kuching International Airport in Malaysia. If you need assistance booking flights, please contact Worldwide Navigators, our preferred travel agency, at travel@worldwidenavigators.com. You may also choose to arrange transportation from the airport to your accommodation, which you may purchase from within your portal under Trip Add-Ons.
Arrivals
You and the rest of your volunteer team will land at the Kuching International Airport in Malaysia. You will transfer to your hotel in Kuching in time to check in by 5pm so you can participate in the team dinner. After dinner, your team leader will provide a general overview of the days ahead. Since you will be staying in and serving communities that are not typical tourist destinations, your journey in Borneo will be incredible!
Meals: Dinner,
Orientation & Orangutan Preserve
Once you have socialized and dined with your team during breakfast, your team leader will dive right into orientation. During orientation, your leader will assign roles for the clinic, present IMR’s clinic protocols, and provide an overview of the many communities your team will serve. This medical mission is unique because, unlike other IMR trips, the teams in Borneo will visit a different community each day of clinic. One of our local partners will also give the team an overview of Borneo’s healthcare system.
After lunch, the team will visit Semenggoh Orangutan Center to observe the afternoon feeding. The center was established in 1975 to care for wild animals found injured or orphaned in the forest, or ones that were previously kept as illegal pets. Since its founding, the center has cared for more than 1,000 animals, and its orangutan rehabilitation mission has been so successful that the surrounding reserve has now reached its carrying capacity.
While rehabilitation continues elsewhere, today Semenggoh focuses on the study of orangutan biology and behavior while providing a safe and natural haven for dozens of semi-wild orangutans that are graduates of the rehab program. It is also home to numerous babies born in the wild to rehabilitated mothers, which is a further testament to the program’s success. This evening, you will learn more about the adventures to come at a welcome dinner with our Expedition Leader.
If you are a lover of trekking and want to see these animals in the wild, then you may want to consider registering for the Orangutan Expedition from Worldwide Navigators.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
Once you have indulged in a hearty local breakfast at your accommodation, you will meet with local healthcare workers assigned to your clinic. Clinics begin early in the morning and run into the evenings. Your days will be long and hard, but also incredibly rewarding.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
One of the main focuses of this mission is dentistry. Because dental pain is common here and all community members are encouraged to attend, the demand for dental care in clinic will be high.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
Since three different sovereignties govern Borneo, the Malaysian Ministry of Health runs the healthcare system. Consequently, access to quality healthcare is not equally distributed, and many of the local health centers are not staffed by doctors. To make health services more accessible for the residents who do not live along the coast, IMR has worked with local physicians to establish clinic locations in different villages in the jungle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
During clinic, you can expect to assist entire families that span multiple generations. The services that you provide will range from the treatment of rashes, burns, and open wounds, to care for lymphatic filariasis, leptospirosis, and schistosomiasis.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Departures
After an amazing week on Borneo, it’s time to say goodbye. You’ll enjoy one final breakfast with your team before heading to the airport for your departure home.
Meals: Breakfast,
Your Journey
Clinic Photos
Extension Photos
Extensions
Since you’re journeying halfway across the globe, consider extending your stay to see more of Borneo, the only place in the world where orangutans live in the wild! Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators!
Worldwide Navigators offers several options for wildlife viewing, island hopping, snorkeling and diving, and more. Take a look at the options available.
Minimum Donation
Your generous donation of $2200 will go toward the ongoing global relief to care for the underserved and vulnerable people of this community. As a member of this medical mission team, you will elevate the long-term impact of sustainable, capacity-building efforts that improve the health, wellness, and quality of life of those most in need. A small portion of your donation includes:
- Clinic supplies and medications for patients
- Clinic participation
- Transportation, accommodations, and meals as outlined in the itinerary
Donation Payment Deadlines
$2000 due by October 23, 2023
$2200 due by December 24, 2023
Early Bird Savings Opportunity
To be eligible, the participant must upload ALL your required documents and forms, sign their liability form and make your 50% donation including your $35 application fee by October 23, 2023. This savings opportunity does not apply to disaster relief missions.
Featured Enhancements
**To purchase any of the above Featured Enhancements for your mission, please contact our office at office@imrus.org or call at (970) 635-0110.
Your Donation to IMR for Your Mission Cost Includes:
All group costs from the time you arrive at the team meeting point in country until you separate from the team or when the team arrives at the departure airport, including:
- Transportation
- Lodging
- Costs associated with the clinic
- Food
- Tips for services provided to the IMR team
- All logistics, including translation services and security as needed
Additional Costs That You Are Responsible For:
All group costs from the time you arrive at the team meeting point in country until you separate from the team or when the team arrives at the departure airport, including:
- International and Domestic flights to the country.
- Passport fees, visa fees, and transit fees, including baggage or overnight accommodations/meals while in transit
- Required or recommended insurance
- Vaccinations and medications common for travel
- Spending money for souvenirs and personal purchases
- Required or desired mission supplies, personal equipment, or small gifts for the special people you meet
- Any lodging, meals, and transportation outside of the scheduled team mission, payable at the time of service to the local vendor
- COVID-related fees such as testing, vaccinations, and quarantines as required by in-country arrival/departure or USA arrival/departure
- Each team member is responsible for carrying medical supplies for the deployment. All fees associated with transport are the responsibility of the volunteer.
Financial FAQs
Prepare to Go
A Walk Through Clinic
Download the Team Guide
